The Visionary Chronicles

IDEAS | How to Build & Maximize Creativity Flow

The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST
CHRONICLE: March 30th, 2022
Inspiration "I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones..."
                                                                        Wisdom from John Cage
 
PODCAST:    IDEAS| How to Maximize Creativity Flow
2018, LinkedIn Survey; Creativity is the number sought-after soft skillset.
 
Creativity is a Cornerstone for an Innovative Thinker and a Progressive Brand. The ability to consistently think of great IDEAS, understand the impact at a brand level, and ensure they are commercialized is a trait few possess and even are willing to explore.
Exploration is a crucial piece for Creativity; having the guts to do what others say is "Impossible" and pursue a Dream and bring it to Reality for others to see. This Exploration brings excitement and passion to a brand. The willingness to FAIL, and FAIL again for the pursuit of reaching the pinnacle of success. Those who are willing to take this challenge, not just once, but make it part of their DNA, their core Identity will succeed, not only in their markets but with their teams and community as well!With Exploration comes an Artisty around successfully realizing your great IDEA. The creative mastery around molding the IDEA to match your Identity.
The Artist is the one who knows what the painting looks like before a brush is put to canvas. So be an Artist, understand the beauty behind the product, making your communities life more accessible and non-burdensome. The Simple Sophistication of a great product and the Artistry to deliver on your Brand Promise.
To Maximize IDEA flow, you must first be committed to Exploring, embracing Failure, and being an Artist, and all are collectively generating insanely GREAT IDEAS.
What are the areas required to Promote Creativity?
Free Flowing Ideas and Pace: The quicker a decision is made, the better the company. However, having a Brand committed to providing an environment to Create, and generate IDEAS, is one that will never run short on Innovation.
        Free your Mind, let the process take its Pace, provide boundaries and ensure these IDEAS are processed, commercialized, or blown up to make it great!
 
Be a Cognitive Thinker vs. a Logical Mindset; Take your time when flushing our IDEAS, understand the implication to the brand and your community. Then, find solutions through Great IDEAS.
 
Leave the Door Open; Allow IDEAS to enter the Creativity process, do not be quick to judge, and ensure Cognitive Thinkers are at the table, the Creative doers.
 
Only the Smart Illusion; Creativity is Cognitive, and why the Logic may not always be the best trait in building an Innovative Culture. Intelligence is often misplaced, put in the correct location it can be very productive, placed in the wrong location is disastrous. Having the ability to think of what "could be" vs. "what is" is the DIFFERENCE!
 
Implement Balance; When Steve Jobs took over at PIXAR, he implemented the "pluses" policy, meaning every negative needed to be balanced with a plus. This simple policy broke down gridlock at PIXAR and was integral to creating their first blockbuster, Toy Story.
 
More is Less; Brands feel the Ideation process is better served with more people providing more Ideas…the opposite is true; the best Ideation process, where it provides the best IDEAS, is one where the mindset is common Logic is left at the Door. Cognitive THINKERS ONLY!
Many leaders agree that Innovation and Creativity are the most sought-after traits, but most do nothing to promote creating a Culture where Cognitive Thinkers can thrive!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
 
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast    
In my new Podcast, IDEAS | How to Maximize Creativity Flow, I discuss how understanding the exploration process, embracing Risk and a commitment to providing an environment where you embrace Failure is key to generating insanely Great IDEAS.
                       
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
 
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
 
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
Updates     Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Newsletter, along with a FREE Vision Notepad.
 
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
  
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
                       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The Elements of a Successful Formula

The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: March 16th, 2022
 
CONTENT FROM:
THE VISIONARY BRAND BOOK, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
                                                            James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
           
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL FORMULA
Over the next several months I will be doing PODCAST’s on the The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
 
 
CONTENT FROM;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
Available across all book retailers:
Amazon: The Visionary Brand
Barnes & Noble: The Visionary Brand
 
PODCAST: THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Elements of a Successful Formula
 
When you think of genuinely Visionary brands, those who have sustained generational success and have maintained category leadership simultaneously, each was built on Visionary foresight and pillars of success.
These pillars are foundational and must be kept intact regardless of circumstances, irrespective of wanting to change. This principle of building a foundation and hanging on through the storms you encounter, both creating and building your brand, is the most challenging but the most important. Brands are built on trust and loyalty, two ingredients of an innovative formula that today holds even more. These pillars are built slowly, methodically, and with authentication. Although building them takes generations, tearing them down takes only days, if not hours!
So what are these foundational principles all visionary brands adhere to as they move through the stages of brand equity growth, loyalty creation, and trust-building? It takes many different pieces to create a foundation worthy of being visionary, and all we discuss in The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands. I wrote The Visionary Brand from an inside-out perspective so those who have not experienced what the interworking of truly innovative brands look like and how they operate on a day-to-day basis.
So what are the main ingredients brands must understand, adopt and adhere to in order to achieve visionary status?
A Creative Engine to sustain innovation
Consistent Positioning across distribution channels
An Omni-channel brand experience
A Power Triad that is working in unison with all team members
Creating a Culture Matrix which defines inclusion, not exclusion
Unified Product Vision
A sticky Ecosystem
Fuel to drive your marketing strategy
A killer UX (User Experience)
The Courage to Create and Be Different!
 Each is the DNA make-up of a truly Visionary brand and the ones we discuss in detail in The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
In summary, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
 Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
 
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The Elements of a Successful Formula I provide an overview of the elements most, if not all, true Visionary brands and leaders embrace and execute against.
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
 
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book in exchange for a REVIEW;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a REVIEW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
 
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
 
LiquidMind
A Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The Vision Paradox

The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: March 9th, 2022
 
CONTENT FROM: 
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands “Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share. The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."                                                                           James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review  
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE VISION PARADOX
 Over the next several months I will be doing podcasts on The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.  The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media, or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
CONTENT FROM:The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary BrandsAvailable across all book retailers:
Amazon: The Visionary Brand
 
Barnes & Noble: The Visionary Brand
 Just because I can SEE… does not mean I have VISION…
 The Vision Paradox is a dilemma faced by many brands. When building your teams, especially early on, you will find that they need complementary skillsets and the ability to orchestrate together.  This analogy is very similar to when you hear a beautiful concerto, and all instruments complement one another. Making for a collective team, all know their role and core expertise. You do not want someone who does not know how to play the violin, playing a violin. This one failed, non-complimentary team member ruins this beautiful orchestration of a team. Some call it “staying in your lane” or “know what you know, and that which you do not,” either way, team members assigned to roles need to be complimentary to accomplish anything.  Having been in global brands overseeing product, marketing, and business development, there is a method to success, and this method includes defining roles specific to team members' skillset. Suppose you are to move your brand into Visionary thinking and status. In that case, you must have all team members playing their roles, providing guidance, and leading the next revolutionary product, ensuring generational success. There are brand principles realized through the elimination of the Vision Paradox and adoption of a Visionary foundation;
1. BREAKAWAY PRODUCT PIPELINE; as a result of creating a Vision, building an insanely great team, providing the tools to succeed, embracing failure, and rewarding creators, you will find your brand is leading in all pillars that define Visionary.  Once this structure is in place, your ability to realize an innovation-driven, breakaway pipeline becomes tangible.2. FORESIGHT; Foresight involves “anticipation,” knowing what your customers desire before they do. It is not an incremental improvement; it is not refining; it is a vision of what “can be,” not “what is.”3. REVOLUTION, RECREATE; “Incrementalism is innovation’s worst enemy” Nicolas Negroponte, MIT Your ability to out-innovate yourself first is a key ingredient to being generational. Find ways to take your breakaway product strategy and “squeeze” the Competition across all price tiers while surfing other products that enter the “pipeline.” Not a “one-hit” wonder strategy, but rather one that provides products across the entire supply and demand chain, capturing market share while not degrading brand equity. A delicate balance.
Those humble enough to understand their weaknesses and utilize their strengths complement the brand team and become part of orchestration, a masterpiece driven by a passion for being part of the team who desire to be generational. In summary, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, PresidentLiquidMind Inc.@LiquidMindsite.com@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part II), I discuss the Foundational Pillars required to move your Brand from the Status Quo to Visionary. The Pillars to successfully leading for generations. 
The Visionary Chronicles PodcastWe discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites. Available on
PodbeanApple PodcastSpotifyiHeartPandoraIf you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower. 
 
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book in exchange for a REVIEW;THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands. I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a REVIEW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed. 
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS! Enjoy! 
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.  
LiquidMindA Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions. 
LiquidMind
 

The Visionary Brand | TheDNA of a Visionary Brand (Part II)

The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: February 16th, 2022
 
CONTENT FROM MY NEW BOOK: 
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
Available across all book retailers on February 8th, 2022
 
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
                                                                                              James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
           
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE DNA OF A VISIONARY BRAND (PART II)
Over the next several months I will be doing podcasts on The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media, or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
___________
 
Many principles make up the genetics of a Visionary brand's DNA; however, several critical elements ensure the formula is the right mix for successfully navigating the barriers all brands face throughout their lives.
 
Two additional items we will discuss are;
Brand Loyalty
Foundational Pillars
LOYALTY
Brand Loyalty is an earned right, not something that is purchased. Being able to retain, engage and build a meaningful relationship with your community is the holy grail of a brand’s long-term viability.
Generational brands, sustained and built equity over generations, are few and far between. However, one characteristic each has in common is consistently maintaining their core brand values.
Customers have many choices, very little time, and an even shorter attention span. The situation will not improve soon and will likely get much worse. A challenge non-Visionary companies face, and a new reality Visionary brands embrace. They know if they are genuine and authentic with their community, providing value beyond selling products and engaging throughout the entire purchase and following up post-purchase through the Loyalty Loop strategy, this process will succeed regardless of economic conditions.
Staying true to your principles, building a solid foundation where the brand pillars are clearly understood, and engaging with your customer are all critical strategies required to survive and thrive.
PILLARS
Now for the true Foundational Pillars to a brand’s ongoing success and ability to thrive regardless of the economic realities.
These Pillars are;
BRAND; the brand itself, the make-up of the Foundation.
PILLAR I: Product; what the brand produces, the performance attributes that define its positioning.
PILLAR II: Culture; how the brand interacts internally and externally, the brand's DNA to the world.
PILLAR III: Positioning; where the brand positions its products for sale, location, location, premium, or commodity.
PILLAR IV: Creators; build the infrastructure for the brand’s current and future generations, the eyes and ears of what the brand stands for.
VISION; the foundational day-to-day mission driven by a future aspiration, the future realized.
EXECUTION; the common goal shared by the entire brand, its ability to realize the Vision.
 
Each brand Pillar is critical to ensuring its longevity, its ability to stay true to the Vision, and a foundation built on rock, not sand, to withstand the forces of nature and the world.
These are what make for a Visionary Brand, start tearing down the pillars, and your foundation collapse, brand equity deteriorates, brand loyalty evaporates, brand positioning changes, and your future destiny is no longer in your hands.
Build your Foundation on solid rock, stay true to your Vision, pivot when necessary, but whatever future path you choose, it must not stray from these guiding principles.
 
 In summary, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen.
Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part II), I discuss the Foundational Pillars required to move your Brand from the Status Quo to Visionary. The Pillars to successfully leading for generations.
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Google Play
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
 
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a Follower.
 
SUBSCRIBE:
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book in exchange for a REVIEW;
 
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
 
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a REVIEW on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
 Enjoy!
 
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
                      
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
 
#liquidmindsite #bryansmeltzer #thevisionarychronicles #brandDNA #leadershipprinciples #Brandingprinciples #thevisionarybrandbook #thevisionarybrand #thevisionarychronicles
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part I)

The Visionary Chronicles
CHRONICLE: February 8th, 2022
 
CONTENT FROM:
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
                                                            James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
           
PODCAST SERIES: THE VISIONARY BRAND | THE DNA OF A VISIONARY BRAND
Over the next several months I will be doing podcasts on, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
The book is now released, and available across all book distribution locations. I would always appreciate your support in spreading the word through a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, social media or any location you connect with others! Your word is what provides a connection to others who may have never heard of the book otherwise…
 
What makes a brand a brand? Is it . . .
Product?
Marketing
Culture?
Innovation?
Each of these can undoubtedly be a foundational piece of the make-up of a brand, and consumer perceptions are built on these separate components. However, I found in most instances, consumers perceive a brand as a lifestyle comprised of many different aspects, both inspirational and aspirational, or as a commodity, which serves a specific need or purpose.
For example, when Nike created the “Just Do It” or “Bo Knows” campaigns, Nike created an inclusionary active lifestyle and persona that allowed them to sell products, creating a culture built around demonstrating an inspirational lifestyle. These campaigns reflect its culture, made up of a community of like-minded athletes working towards the same aspirational goal. In other words, it sells a lifestyle more than it sells individual goods. And selling a lifestyle is now more critical than ever for a successful brand.
Selling a Lifestyle controlling your destiny is the path carved the pandemic, the reality of having to adapt, and the foresight to know this is the future. So what does this future look like as we see it?
I will discuss the first two key areas today and continue our discussions over the next several weeks.
 
THE BRAND
In this New Age of retail, brands can more easily adapt, engage, create, and control their destiny. Before this New Age of e-comm, DTC, the User Experience (UX) was critical to a brand's success, as Loyalty and authentic engagement are a priority, along with superior products. This UX needs to be controlled by the brand, as consumers' expectations shift to pre-purchase experience and post-purchase engagement. The retailer always maintained the purchase cycle, with many UX priorities left not being appropriately executed or authentically. Brands now control both their destiny and community loyalty. The retailer left having to somehow manage their ongoing Brick and Mortar business in parallel with these same brands opening their stores. Quite a balancing act and many retailers have not handled this transition correctly. Still, it represents an opportunity to partner with these global brands for those left standing.
Unless you ARE a Brand, you cannot BE a brand.
Creating a brand is an earned right that is not easily attained; ask all those new ventures left in the rubble of having had a great idea only to see it vanish before their eyes. Once you have achieved TRUE brand status, you have pricing and product control. The ability to achieve multi-tier distribution and build a global community loyal to your product, lifestyle, and brand all in one.
The retail revolution is real; those who adapt without sacrificing their core values are the ones who will successfully build a future for others to follow.
 
EVOLUTION
Every brand needs to be anchored in Foundation Principles, those things that make them a brand in the eyes of their consumer, their community, their loyal following.
However, brands can and need to evolve or pivot when they see an opportunity to change their Foundation and maximize what they have already built. Brands are built on marketplace positioning, such as; good, better, best, or premium, and clearly defined points of difference over the Competition.
The pandemic was a clear pivot point for brands, and those who evolved or adapted are the ones still standing today. But, you will notice those who pivoted did not sacrifice their Foundation! If you are built on a stone foundation, you can withstand the winds of time and fail. But, facing a challenge head-on is what visionary brands and leaders do, and they set the path for the future, a future others can not see until they clarify the vision.
We have been through and continue to struggle with one of the worst pandemics in our history, however in case you missed it, those brands who evolved early in the pandemic are the ones achieving record revenue growth.
Engaging with your core consumer directly, building a relationship, and providing value beyond the product is a formula for success. The brands now have complete control over the omnichannel experience with the pandemic. Those who clearly understand the customer journey, eliminate pain points and engage meaningfully and authentically with their community survive.
In summary, The Visionary Brand was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
 
 Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand | The DNA of a Visionary Brand (Part I), I discuss key principles that separate a brand and how applying these can set you apart for generations. The keys to successfully leading for generations.
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on:
Google Play
Amazon
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
 
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
 
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
 I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will REVIEW Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
 It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
 
INTERVIEWS
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
                       
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
 
 
 

The Visionary Brand | The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands

THE VISIONARY BRAND
The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands
Author, Bryan Smeltzer
 
“Exceptionally well written, organized, and presented, The Visionary Brand must be considered essential reading for all aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to expand their market share.
The Visionary Brand is unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, college, university library Business Management instructional reference collections, and for the personal reading lists of entrepreneurs, MBA students, and corporate executives."
                                                                                                                                  James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
 
            When I decided to write The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I was very fortunate to have been inside some of the world’s most creative, disruptive, and revolutionary brands.
            These brands were each different, positioning themselves differently, engaging strategically, creating consistently, understanding why they exist, how they are unique, and building a culture that drives the passion for driving the brand forward. I found each fascinating and having been inside the walls of the executive suite seeing firsthand how these great brands operated was an experience few get to experience and witness. So, this experience, along with having a passion for reading and absorbing how other great brands were able to navigate the path to success for generations effectively, built a great base of knowledge both inside and outside these four walls. These insanely great companies and the leaders behind the curtain, the wizards pulling the brand along and successfully executing a Vision no one else could see or comprehend.
            The experience was the inspiration, and this is where the Journey started. Having been with these brands and throughout my years, I found that there truly was no ONE Visionary brand, a company that had all the pieces in place. Some had most, but none had all to achieve this status. So as I prepared to write The Visionary Brand, I wanted it to be an outline of the pieces required to achieve Visionary level. Also, I intended to interpret the content quickly and apply it to your day-to-day and long-term strategy.
            In having read hundreds of books, all either Bios of great leaders or disruptive brands, most were told from outside in perspective or academic standpoint. Neither of these is easily applied, nor are they beneficial unless you are a multi-billion brand with significant resources to execute their strategy. Therefore, I wanted to take an Entrepreneurial spin on building the structure of The Visionary Brand, which can be applied with limited resources, brands both big and small and measurement in results.
            It has been a passion and longtime goal to write this book, many times wanting to hang up my pen and other times spilling out thoughts that seemed never-ending. Both extremes are why I feel The Visionary Brand is so tangible to leaders at all levels and industries.
            You will find a clear, tangible path to understanding, achieving, and realizing the pieces of putting your Visionary brand puzzle together. I intended to make it clear, tangible, and fun to execute individually and as a team. Achieving Visionary status seems intangible to most, and it is meant to be by design. However, if you can acquire insight into building your path to generational success while putting these pieces in place, I will have served my purpose in writing The Visionary Brand!
            Inside the cover of The Visionary Brand, you will step by step insight into what an authentic Visionary brand is, how this machine runs, what their point of difference is, and how these tangible and intangible points of difference allow them to crush their Competition.
 
Journey/Brand
It starts with my Journey to writing the book and then defines what a Brand truly is built from a foundational perspective.
 
 Vision/Elements
The book then moves to Vision from the brand and how companies separate themselves through foresight and a product innovation pipeline. I discuss how this revolution is the difference that defines these Visionary brands and how imitators will never be leaders. The elements that set great brands apart and allow them to sustain their category leadership for generations. Disruption, being Different, and Case Studies around each.
 
Positioning/Omni-Channel
From Vision, I move to marketplace positioning and omnichannel strategy. Ensuring you are consistent in all you do, being authentic, ensuring the bloodlines are true to the Vision—strategic competitiveness, Lifestyle marketing, and being the best at ALL times.
 
Power Triad/Culture
Product/Marketing & Sales, the Power Triad. How they drive the brand forward, and how each builds a Culture to be envied by all their competitors.
 
Product Vision/Ecosystem
Breakaway design, innovation pipeline, drawdown strategy, and commercialization. Each a piece of a strategic arsenal brands deploy every day. They were leading through extinction and building an Ecosystem that allows the brands to capture a community and make a Loyal following.
 
Fuel/UX
Marketing is The Fuel that keeps a brand moving forward, executing on the Vision and ensuring its positioning always is consistent and authentic. Personalization and Ambassador engagement are two unique platforms for brands to ensure they continue to build their community, the heart, and soul of DTC revenue. Finally, the UX, empathizing and understanding your customers.
 
Artist/Courage
These are areas rarely discussed, but I felt they were probably the most important to put in my book. Without Artists and Courage, you have neither the creativity to be different to the guts to take risks. 
 
In summary, The Visionary Brand was written for those looking to understand what is significant, being Visionary, being different to sustain long-term success, and what they do to create brand Loyalty. Also, it was written from an inside-out perspective, understanding is as much personal, as it is business acumen. Be a Leader, Be a Visionary, Be Compassionate, Be Great!
 
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
 
THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
 
 In my new Podcast, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, I discuss my Vision for writing the book, the overview of the contents and how you can apply these Visionary Principles to your brand, create an innovation-driven product pipeline and build a passionate culture. The keys to successfully leading for generations.
 
 The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out "The Visionary Chronicles" on these sites.
Available on
Google
Amazon
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
 
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
 
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
 
THE VISIONARY BRAND, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will review Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being distributed.
It is always greatly appreciated when you spread the word through REVIEWS!
Enjoy!
 
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone, I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
 
LiquidMind
a Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
#thevisionarybrandbook #thevisionarybrand #thevisionarychronicles #thevisionarychroniclespodcast #bestbusinessbook #entrepreneursupport #bookforentrepreneurs #bryansmeltzer #liquidmindconsulting
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
 
 
                       

The Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy to Overcome Competitive Forces

THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES PODCAST
The Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy that Overcomes Competitive Forces
 
"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
                                                                        Wisdom from Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 
The Forces of Competition, which determine strategic planning and marketplace execution, are shared among all industries. Those who can anticipate both industry and competitive moves will succeed for generations.
Anticipation is the "Art of War", and brands who fight and win the battle without having pulled a sword are the ones who have mastered the "Art of Competition". But, unfortunately, many have gone to war and have shown nothing for their efforts; a strategy built on a foundation of brute force inevitably fails.
Find a way to determine outcomes before they are fought, and you will build a team and a brand set on a solid foundation, a fortress others can not enter. Creating a culture where everyone knows their role, works together to ensure the foundation stands, and others envy what you have made and want to know your vision of the future. The best they can hope for is to follow in your path but never lead.
There are several forces brands must be aware of to execute The Art of Competition in the marketplace.
 
New Blood
With this scenario, new blood is the latest entry into your category, one who has a new idea, provides a potentially better service or product.
Combatting this competitor takes anticipation, an innovation process, and the ability to never look over your shoulder. Each of these allows a brand to move ahead with your Vision while ensuring this new blood is blocked or eliminated from establishing a beachhead without you doing anything different. Changing course is not an option, but pivoting without disrupting your business is critical.
 
Scale
The scale was a strategy many were caught off guard by during the pandemic, and most were unable to recover in whole or in part.
To attain sufficient scale with a manufacturing matrix with the core competencies needed to produce a consistently excellent product and out-innovating yourself first is the winning formula.
 
Community
Loyalty, recurring revenue, and value creation are foundational to longevity. These pieces of your foundation will create a wall no competitor can climb.
This takes consistency, an understanding of who your customer is, what they value, and why they buy your products is a strategic weapon built off your team's shoulders.
 
Commodity Players
The Imitators, not the Innovators, are the commodity players. They are not be feared, but rather these are the ones to be called out and challenged at every turn.
Imitators take great Ideas and churn them into products of inferior quality and lower-tier price points. As a result, they do not build a trusting, loyal community that embraces value provided by the brand, but rather a following looking for the next significant "draw-down".
Some have been successful with this strategy, but this is like building your foundation on the sand vs. rock. YOUR CHOICE.
 
Rivals
The most threatening part of a brand executing its future Vision is its direct Rival, those who have authentically built a loyal community, created their innovation pipeline and stayed true to their foundation.
They are to be respected, but the Art of War principles are genuinely beneficial and provide the most benefit. You want to anticipate the moves of your Rivals,  find ways to outflank them, diminish their impact, and put the fires out before they start.
The Art of War is winning without having gone to battle. So what can you do to anticipate your Rival's next move and step out and take risks, never to relinquish your lead?
 
The Art of Competition is understanding the landscape, anticipating your Rival's moves, outflanking your Competition, and finding ways to win the battles through a strategy where you never have to draw your weapon! Find a way to win!
Stay True, stay Authentic, be Different, be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
Bryan Smeltzer, President
LiquidMind Inc.
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2022
 
In my new Podcast, The Art of Competition | Creating a Strategy that Overcomes Competitive Forces, I discuss the Idea’s around anticipation and the Art of combatting your Competition through strategic mastery.
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
We discuss this and other business strategy topics and pressing issues facing Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Small Business Owners.
Please check out THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES Podcast on these sites
Podbean
Apple Podcast
Spotify
iHeart
Pandora
Amazon
Google
 
If you like what you hear, I would appreciate you providing a rating and following to receive my weekly Podcasts, along with exclusive content as a follower.
 
Subscribe to The Visionary Chronicles PODCAST,  and receive The Visionary Chronicles Weekly Newsletter, along with a FREE copy of my new book;
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands.
I am providing a FREE copy with the hope you will provide a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or any other international distributions sites the book is currently being carried. It is always greatly appreciated, and to spread the word.
Enjoy!
https://bryansmeltzer.com/books/
Visionary Interviews, I will be doing some upcoming interviews with some icons in the industry. If you happen to know of someone I may want to interview, please let me know. Just provide some brief information, and if it works, we will reach out.
https://bryansmeltzer.com/podcasts/
 
LiquidMind
Brand Strategy Firm for those looking to disrupt their industry, build a global digital platform, business execution leadership, or just need someone who understands your business's complexities and can provide solutions.
https://youtu.be/xcIWAgKPgxY
 
#liquidmindsite
#Brandconsulting
#theartofwar
#bryansmeltzer
#thevisionarybrandbook
#thevisionarychronicles
#competitiveweapons
 
 
 
 
                       
 
 
 

Team Alignment | Managing Marketing & Sales Alignment

Brand Team Alignment | Managing Marketing & Sales Alignment
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.”                                                                                      Wisdom from Steve Jobs
With over 85% of companies indicating a misalignment between marketing and sales on items such as; strategy, branding, and creation, it is an area that needs vast improvement across almost every brand.Our clients at LiquidMind(LiquidMindsite.com), both large-cap through start-up, face the same issues, and most do not either recognize the misalignment or understand the process to improve the alignment. In addition, as more brands move to DTC, the sales cycle becomes more tangible on the direct-to-consumer side and with your retailers, as they fight for both dollars and time. As a result, this alignment becomes more critical to a company's short and long-term success.With most brands, you will find these two functional areas run independently of one another when they should be working in parallel, ensuring the brand is in complete alignment across all channels and modes of communication. However, they need each other, and frustration, inefficiency, and misalignment set in when separated. So how does a brand work to correct this misalignment? 
At LiquidMind, we work with our brands on the following areas, and step by step, piece by piece, the alignment becomes a reality.
Content CreationMarketing often makes assumptions, based on the brand positioning, creative assets, and channels, that what they are creating is valuable to the sales teams, buyers, and customers. To define what is needed, you must understand where, when, who, and how you create and communicate. Is this content a valuable tool for the sales team, and does the marketing strategy take a regular "pulse" check with your brand community, buyers, and sales team? Creating for the sake of producing is not a strategy. Moving does not mean you are making progress. To create alignment with Content Creation, ensure the sales team is mapping your creative strategy, both online and in-store. Also, provide your community in engaging with your content, and they are finding helpful something "beyond" product.
Understand NeedMore often than these two areas do not understand each other's needs. Always start with Marketing, and end with Sales. Just because you "create" something does not mean it is an effective tool for the sales force. To better understand the need, have the sales team provide regular input on tangible tools to make their lives easier and provide branding, tools, and communications to make your communities' Lives easier. Understanding and balancing both is critical to marketing your brand and ensuring you maintain brand equity and loyal with both sales and your customers.
Mind MergeHaving regular sessions with the sales team, communicating marketing efforts, and applying the strategy daily builds trust with both organizations. Merging ideas and concepts with reality will bring the Marketing Strategy to a more tangible level to the sales team. So get them involved, but sales must also understand their role in the process, it NOT to create, but rather provide details on NEEDS. 
Tool GenerationEnsure marketing has laid out the tools, resources, and integrated brand strategy to the sales team. The sales team needs to be seamless with "messaging" to buyers and consumers and the lead driven by marketing.If there is no clear strategy, vision, or plan, you can imagine how quickly this alignment can break down. Ensure you provide online and offline marketing tools that can be used by both internal sales and external buyers or customers. 
With the fast-paced, digital world we live in, aligning with everyone inside a brand is critical to the successful execution of your strategy. Frustration and misalignment can be replaced by an authentic, genuine passion and excitement for what your brand is doing and yet to accomplish. Together, lock arms, understand shared needs, and complement one another strengths, and work on your weaknesses to better the brand!